DIVISION 4. - CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION PROGRAM
Part of the Code of Ordinances of East Providence, RI.
The text
Sec. 17-57. - Definitions.#
Approved. Accepted by the department as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this regulation, or as suitable for the proposed purpose.
Auxiliary water supply. Any water supply, on or available, to the premises other than the purveyor's approved public water supply.
Backflow. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances, under positive or reduced pressure in the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source other than its intended source.
Backflow preventer. A device or means designed to prevent backflow or backsiphonage. Most commonly categorized as air gap, reduced pressure principle device, double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, atmospheric vacuum breaker, hose bib vacuum breaker, residential dual check, double check with intermediate atmospheric vent, and barometric loop. (1)
Air gap. A physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow between the free flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system. Physically defined as a distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter but never less than one inch.
(2)
Atmospheric vacuum breaker. A device which prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or sub-atmospheric pressure in a water system.
(3)
Barometric loop. A fabricated piping arrangement rising at least 35 feet at its upmost point above the highest fixture it supplies. It is utilized in water supply systems to protect against backsiphonage.
(4)
Double check valve assembly. An assembly of two independently operating spring loaded check valves with tightly closing shut off valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.
(5)
Double check valve with intermediate atmospheric vent. A device having two spring loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
(6)
Hose bibb vacuum breaker. A device which is permanently attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
(7)
Pressure vacuum breaker. A device containing one or two independently operated spring loaded check valves and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check(s). Device includes tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valve(s).
(8)
Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer. An assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves, tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valves plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
(9)
Residential dual check. An assembly of two spring loaded, independently operating check valves without tightly closing shut-off valves and test cocks. Generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.
Backpressure. A condition in which the owners' system pressure is greater than the suppliers' system pressure.
Backsiphonage. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply system from any source other than its intended source caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system.
Containment. A method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow preventer at the water service entrance.
Contaminant. A substance that will impair the quality of the water to a degree that it creates a serious health hazard to the public.
Cross-connection. Any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution.
Department. The City of East Providence department of public works, water utilities division.
Fixture isolation. A method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer is located to correct a cross connection at an in-plant location rather than at a water service entrance.
Owner. Any person who has legal title to, or license to operate or habitat in, a property upon which a cross-connection inspection is to be made or upon which a cross-connection is present.
Person. Any individual, partnership, company, public, or private corporation, political subdivision or agency, or any other legal entity.
Permit. A document issued by the department which allows the use of a backflow preventer.
Pollutant. A foreign substance, that if permitted to get into the public water system, will degrade its quality so as to constitute a moderate hazard, or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably effect such water for domestic use.
Water service entrance. That point in the owners' water system beyond the sanitary control of the department, generally considered to be the outlet end of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.
(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)
Sec. 17-58. - Purpose.#
(a)
To protect the public potable water supply served by the city from the possibility of contamination or pollution by isolating within its customers internal distribution system, such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow or back-siphon into the public water system.
(b)
To promote the elimination of control of existing cross connections, actual or potential, between its customers in-plant potable water system, and non-potable systems.
(c)
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross connection control which will effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems by cross connection.
(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)
Sec. 17-59. - Administration.#
(a)
The department of public works, water utilities division will operate a cross-connection control program, to include the keeping of necessary records, which fulfills the requirements of these regulations as approved.
(b)
The owner shall allow his property to be inspected for possible cross-connections and shall follow the provisions of these regulations.
(c)
If the department requires that the public supply be protected by containment, the owner shall be responsible for water quality beyond the outlet end of the containment device and should utilize fixture outlet protection for that purpose.
(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)
Sec. 17-60. - Requirements.#
(a)
Department.
(1)
For all new construction or plumbing improvements and/or modifications which require a plumbing permit, the department will review plans submitted for evaluation in order to determine the type of backflow preventer that will be required. In any case, a minimum of a dual check valve will be required for all new construction and for any plumbing modifications. The department may require an on-site evaluation before the permit is issued.
(2)
For premises existing prior to the start of this program, the department reserves the right to perform evaluations and inspections of plans and/or premises and inform the owner by letter of any corrective action deemed necessary, the method of achieving the correction, and the time allowed for the correction to be made. Ordinarily, 90 days will be allowed, however, this time period may be shortened depending upon the degree of hazard involved and the history of the device(s) in question.
(3)
The department will not allow any cross-connection to remain unless it is protected by an approved backflow preventer for which a permit has been issued and which will be regularly tested in accordance with these regulations to insure satisfactory operation.
(4)
The department shall inform the owner, in writing, of any failure to comply by the time of the first re-inspection. The department will allow an additional 15 days for the correction. In the event the owner fails to comply with the necessary correction by the time of the second re-inspection, the department will inform the owner by letter that the water service to the owner's premises will be shut off within a period not to exceed five days. In the event that the owner informs the department of extenuating circumstances as to why the installation has not been made, a time extension may be granted.
(5)
If the department determines at any time that a serious threat to the public health exists, the water service will be shut off immediately.
(6)
The department shall have on file, a list of private contractors who are certified backflow device testers. All charges for these tests will be paid by the owner of the building or property.
(b)
Owner.
(1)
The owner shall be responsible for the elimination or protection of all cross-connections on his premises.
(2)
The owner, after having been informed in writing by the department, shall at his/her expense install, maintain, and test or have tested any and all backflow preventers on the premises.
(3)
The owner shall at his/her expense correct any malfunction of any backflow preventer which is revealed by periodic testing. The department reserves the right to require replacement of any backflow preventer that it deems unrepairable or otherwise unfit in order to provide service and operation.
(4)
The owner shall not install a by-pass around any backflow preventer unless there is a backflow preventer of the same type on the bypass. Owners who cannot shut down operations for testing of the device(s) must supply an additional device on a bypass in order to allow testing to take place.
(5)
The owner shall immediately inform the department of any proposed or modified cross-connections and also any existing cross-connections of which the owner is aware but has not been found by the department.
(6)
The owner shall install backflow preventers in a manner and location approved by the department.
(7)
The owner shall install only backflow preventers approved by and in accordance with the requirements of the department.
(8)
In the event the owner installs plumbing to provide potable water for domestic purposes which is on the department's side of the backflow preventer, such plumbing must have its own backflow preventer installed.
(9)
The owner shall be responsible for the payment of all fees for permits, testing and retesting in the case that the device fails to operate correctly and second and subsequent re-inspection for non-compliance with the department's requirements.
(10)
Effective the date of the acceptance of this cross connection control program, all new residential buildings will be required to install a residential dual check device immediately downstream of the water meter. Installation of this residential dual check device on a retrofit basis on existing service shall be done upon the issuance of a plumbing permit for any plumbing improvements or modifications.
(11)
The owner must be aware that installation of an approved backflow prevention device results in a potential closed plumbing system within his/her facility or residence. As such, provisions may have to be made by the owner to provide for thermal expansion within the closed loop system, i.e., the installation of thermal expansion devices. The city shall not be held liable for plumbing failures associated with faulty or inappropriate installations.
(12)
In accordance with the Rhode Island State Building Code, Plumbing Code Regulations, "The owner or the owner's designated agent shall be responsible for the safe and sanitary maintenance of the plumbing system in any building or structure at all times."
(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)
Sec. 17-61. - Devices.#
(a)
Backflow preventers. All installed backflow preventers shall conform to the latest revision of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Standard C506, the latest revision of the applicable standard of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) or the latest revision of the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern California standards.
(b)
Strainers. All new retrofit installations of reduced pressure principle devices and double check valve backflow preventers shall include the installation of strainers located immediately upstream of the backflow device. The installation of strainers will preclude the fouling of backflow devices due to both foreseen and unforeseen circumstances occurring to the water supply system such as water main repairs, water main breaks, fires, periodic cleaning and flushing of mains, etc. These occurrences may "stir up" debris within the water main that will cause fouling of backflow devices installed without the benefit of strainers.
(c)
Existing in-use backflow prevention devices. Any existing backflow preventer shall be allowed by the department to continue in service unless it has been determined by a certified tester that the device is no longer effective or will result in an unreasonable risk to the public health. In the case of a residential installation converting to a business establishment, an existing backflow preventer must be upgraded to a reduced pressure principle device, or a reduced pressure principle device must be installed in the event that no backflow device was present.
(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)
Sec. 17-62. - Periodic testing.#
(a)
Reduced pressure principle backflow devices shall be tested and inspected at least annually.
(b)
Periodic testing shall be performed by a certified tester. This testing will be done at the owner's expense.
(c)
Any backflow preventer which fails during a periodic test will be repaired or replaced. When repairs are necessary, upon completion of the repair the device will be re-tested at the owner's expense to insure correct operation. High hazard situations will not be allowed to continue unprotected if the backflow preventer fails the test and cannot be repaired immediately. In other situations, a compliance date of not more than 30 days after the test date will be established. The owner is responsible for spare parts, repair tools, or a replacement device. Parallel installation of two devices is an effective means of the owner insuring that uninterrupted water service during testing or repair of devices if and when the owner desires such continuity of service.
(d)
Backflow prevention devices may be tested more frequently than specified in (a) above, in cases where there is a history of test failures and the department feels that due to the degree of hazard involved, additional testing is warranted
(Ch. 356, § I, 9-20-05)